Reactions started pouring from different sections of the political spectrum, following the military's pronouncement of the matter regarding Dawn's story probe "settled".

“The Pakistan Army spokesperson should have resigned rather than take back his tweet,” said Aitzaz Ahsan, a senior PPP leader, while speaking to a private TV channel.

Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor on Wednesday, "withdrew" the inflammatory tweet that "rejected" the government's notification on the Dawn story probe, saying; "The tweet on April 29, 2017 was not aimed at any government office or person."

He added: "Since action on orders of the prime minister has already been completed by the respective ministries and divisions, the issue of Dawn Leaks [sic] stands settled."

Explore: Army withdraws tweet 'rejecting' PM Office's directives on Dawn story probe

However, certain politicians and opinion-makers consider the saga far from over.

Aitzaz seemed convinced that Maryam Nawaz Sharif had been "saved" by the government, at the cost of a few "scapegoats".

Leader of the Oppo­si­tion in the National Assembly Syed Khur­shid Shah has also repeatedly criticised the government over the matter. He was of the opinion that Nawaz Sharif had lost the moral high ground and should resign from his office immediately.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government, he said, had become a ‘security risk’ and the opposition parties should unite on a single platform.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar pitched in with his point of view in a strongly worded tweet.

Asad Umar added: "If story was true and Pakistan army is destabilising the region by harbouring terrorists, I want the government to take a clear unequivocal position."

"If the story was false," he asked, in the following tweet, "then departmental enquiry and change of portfolio is not just a joke but a cover up of a national crime."

Taking notice of the "settlement", PTI Chairman Imran Khan too, took to Twitter to raise questions. "The whole nation wants to know, what was 'settled'," he tweeted.

Doubling up on his proposition, he appealed that the commission report be made public.

Journalist Syed Talat Hussain termed it mind-boggling that "the two sides took it to the brink and allowed it to linger on and on!"

Another TV anchor, Jasmeen Manzoor, commented on a lighter note.